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Microbiology

The Microbiology research group of the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) focuses on the study of microbiological aspects —in basic, translational and clinical research— that could improve the outcome of patients with infectious diseases.

Our priority research areas are:

  • Microbiological surveillance of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
    • Diseases due to viral infections of the respiratory tract
    • Microorganisms that cause vaccine-preventable diseases
    • Infectious diseases of sexual transmission
  • Antimicrobial resistance
  • Sepsis
  • Development and validation of rapid microbiological diagnostic devices.
  • International Health
  • Hepatitis 

We actively collaborate with other microbiology laboratories, health services, national and international centres and organizations, as well as with the different research networks of the Carlos III Health Institute in Spain.

In addition, we carry out an important activity in the surveillance of the genotypic and phenotypic evolution of microorganisms present in the community in terms of their virulence, transmissibility, antigenic escape and antimicrobial resistance, in collaboration with public administrations, both at the national and international level.
 

Team

Jesus Trejo Zaminos

Jesus Trejo Zaminos

Predoctoral researcher
Microbiology
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Joan Joseph Munné

Joan Joseph Munné

Main researcher
Microbiology
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Josep Roca Grande

Josep Roca Grande

Research technician
Microbiology
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Juliana Esperalba Esquerra

Juliana Esperalba Esquerra

Research technician
Microbiology
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Luca Basile

Luca Basile

Administration and Management
Microbiology
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M Teresa Martin Gomez

M Teresa Martin Gomez

Senior researcher
Microbiology
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Jesus Trejo Zaminos

Jesus Trejo Zaminos

Predoctoral researcher
Microbiology
Read more
Joan Joseph Munné

Joan Joseph Munné

Main researcher
Microbiology
Read more
Josep Roca Grande

Josep Roca Grande

Research technician
Microbiology
Read more
Juliana Esperalba Esquerra

Juliana Esperalba Esquerra

Research technician
Microbiology
Read more
Luca Basile

Luca Basile

Administration and Management
Microbiology
Read more
M Teresa Martin Gomez

M Teresa Martin Gomez

Senior researcher
Microbiology
Read more

Projects

Sistema integral para la vigilancia clínica, epidemiológica y microbiológica (SiVEV/BCN) de la enfermedad asociada a enterovirus en Barcelona ciudad.

IP: Andres Antón Pagarolas
Collaborators: Juliana Esperalba Esquerra, Jorgina Vila Soler, Yolima Cossio Gil, Rocío Rodrigo García, Tomàs Pumarola Suñé, Maria Espiau Guarner, Núria Worner Tomasa, Maria Piñana Moro, Ariadna Carsi Durall, Anna Creus Costa, Alejandra Gonzalez Sánchez, Cristina Andrés Vergés, Narcís Saubí Roca
Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding: 214170
Reference: PI22/00023
Duration: 01/01/2023 - 31/12/2025

AMBROSIA: Multiplexed Plasmo-Photonic Biosensing Platform For Rapid And Intelligent Sepsis Diagnosis At The PointOf-Care

IP: Juan Jose Gonzalez Lopez
Collaborators: Juan Carlos Ruiz Rodriguez
Funding agency: EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Funding: 269812
Reference: AMBROSIA_HE-CL4_22_DIGI-EMERG01
Duration: 01/01/2023 - 31/12/2026

Disección y promoción de inmunidad adaptativa específica frente al poliomavirus (BKV) para prevenir la infección viral tras el trasplante renal (proyecto BK-VAX).

IP: Oriol Bestard Matamoros
Collaborators: Juliana Esperalba Esquerra, Joana Sellarés Roig, Emma Pardo De los Santos, Elena Isabel Crespo Gimeno, Laura Donadeu Casassas, Narcís Saubí Roca
Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding: 174240
Reference: PI22/01019
Duration: 01/01/2023 - 31/12/2025

Estudio fase IV, aleatorizado, abierto, controlado para evaluar la terminación temprana del tratamiento con antibioticos en pacientes oncohematológicos con neutropenia febril (e-STOP

IP: Pere Soler Palacín
Collaborators: Luís Gros Subias, Juliana Esperalba Esquerra, Natalia Ana Mendoza Palomar, Núria Worner Tomasa, Susana Melendo Perez
Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III
Funding: 135520
Reference: PI19/01522
Duration: 01/01/2020 - 30/06/2024

Blog

News

The technology could help make stool sample screening more comprehensive and facilitate the identification of parasitic findings for subsequent expert review.

The initiative focuses on awareness, prevention, and the normalization of sexual health check-ups among young people.

All patients showed a favorable clinical course and responded well to antibiotic treatment, without complications.